Cormac had stepped away from the king's side.He moved through the gathering toward them.
Una's aunt saw him coming.She drew herself up, touched her hair, and plastered on a smile.Elspeth did the same.Fenella lifted her chin.
Cormac reached them.
Her aunt stepped forward."Master Stewart.What a pleasure.I am Lady Morag Lockhart, and these are my elder daughters Elspeth and Fenella.We are great admirers of yer family."
Elspeth extended her hand.Fenella offered hers a moment after.
Cormac acknowledged them both with a brief, civil nod."Miss Fenella Lockhart.At last, we meet," he said."I believe the king shall have a word with yer father."
The family preened.Fenella looked somewhat flattered that Cormac had singled her out specifically.
Her aunt pressed on."I do hope we might have the opportunity to further our acquaintance while ye are in Edinburgh.My daughters are very eager to—"
"It was a pleasure to meet ye all.But if ye will excuse me," Cormac said, "I must speak to my wife."
They froze.
Cormac stepped past them entirely.He came directly to Una, stopped in front of her, and gazed at her with the full appreciation he made no effort to conceal.He kissed her cheek.
"Hello, wife," he said."Did ye miss me?"
"Aye," Una replied."I did indeed."
He took her hand firmly in his and did not let go."Come, love.I would like ye to meet my parents and my friend."
Behind him, there was absolute silence.
Then Catriona made a strangled sound as if she was trying not to laugh."Well done, Una," she whispered."Very well done indeed."
Cormac turned with Una firmly at his side.
Her aunt's mouth had fallen open.She closed it.Opened it again.The thane had gone rigid.Elspeth looked as though the floor had shifted beneath her.Fenella had gone quite pale.
Her aunt found her voice."Ye are ...she is ...Una is yer—"
"My wife," Cormac replied."We are recently wed.This is my sister, Nessa."
Nessa smirked.
***
UNA'S AUNT RECOVEREDherself with visible effort.
"Well."A breath.Another."How wonderful.What a surprise."She looked between them."I had no idea the two of ye were acquainted, let alone...Una, ye might have said something!"
"There was not much opportunity," Una replied.
"No, I suppose...well."Her aunt rallied."We must have ye all to dine while ye are in Edinburgh.My husband would be delighted, would he not?"She looked at her husband.
"Delighted," he said with a weak smile.
Cormac inclined his head."Ye are very kind."He looked at Una."Shall we go?"he murmured.
Una nodded.His grip tightened briefly.
They moved through the gathering.Una kept her chin up and her steps steady, focused on the warmth of his hand.
